Classroom, lab, and field experiences designed to furnish students with skills necessary to create lesson material, and organize and conduct field trip and laboratory activities. Techniques for preparing visual aids and collecting samples to use in classes and labs will be taught and personal collections of materials will be initiated.

DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to teach students how to teach Earth Science at the secondary level. Two hours of lecture and three hours of lab are given each week. The lab is part of the class and cannot be taken separately. The classes will describe and demonstrate theoretical and practical methods for teaching Earth Science. The inquiry method, evaluation methods, and developing higher skills in reasoning will be topics of study and development. Technology advances and applications will be treated. The student will be given the opportunity of teaching in actual lab situations under the guidance of the instructor. Evaluations will guide the student to areas which need improvement. The actual planning and set up of a lab will be part of the course. Safety in the lab with specific reference to students will be outlined. School budget with respect to lab costs will be reviewed.

TOPICS:

The basic concepts in Geology, Astronomy, Weather and Climates, and Oceans will be examined with the emphasis on methods of teaching. Field trips, museum visits, and out of classroom experiences will be reviewed to evaluate their significance to the class goals.

OBJECTIVES:

To help the student learn how to present the topics of the class using various teaching methods. This will be an active hands on experience under the direction and supervision of an experienced teacher.

REQUIREMENTS:

Acceptance into the secondary education program.

PREREQUISITES:

Geol 380 or instructor's consent; Ph 127 or 227; Ph 127 This class is best taken the semester before student teaching.